Mastering Windows 11: Easily Show, Hide, or Customize Your Libraries Folder

Table of Contents

• 1. How to Show the Libraries Folder¶
• 2. How to Hide Libraries Folders in Windows 11¶
• 3. How to Add Folders to the Libraries?¶

The Libraries feature in Windows 11, while not immediately visible, offers a powerful way to organize and access your files. Think of Libraries as virtual containers that aggregate content from various locations, presenting a unified view of your documents, pictures, music, and videos. This means you can bring together folders scattered across your hard drive, or even network locations, into a single, easily navigable space. By default, the Libraries folder is hidden in File Explorer, but enabling it is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your file management workflow. Once activated, you can tailor Libraries to your needs, adding frequently accessed files and folders for quick and efficient access.

This guide will walk you through the simple steps to show or hide the Libraries folder in Windows 11 File Explorer, and also explain how to customize it by adding your own folders. Whether you’re looking to declutter your File Explorer or leverage the organizational power of Libraries, this article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough.

1. How to Show the Libraries Folder¶

If you want to take advantage of the Libraries feature, the first step is to make the Libraries folder visible in File Explorer. By default, Microsoft keeps this feature hidden, likely to simplify the interface for new users. However, for those who understand its benefits, showing Libraries is a simple adjustment. Here’s how to make the Libraries folder appear in Windows 11’s File Explorer:

1. Begin by opening File Explorer. The quickest way to do this is by using the keyboard shortcut: press and hold the Windows key and then press the E key simultaneously (Windows + E). This action will immediately launch File Explorer, allowing you to navigate your computer’s file system.

   

2. Once File Explorer is open, direct your attention to the top bar of the window. You’ll notice a horizontal ribbon with various options. Look for the three dots icon, typically located towards the right side of this top bar. This icon is the “See more” menu, which expands to reveal additional commands and settings. Click on these three dots to proceed.

   

3. After clicking the three dots, a dropdown menu will appear, presenting a list of options. From this list, locate and select “Options”. Choosing “Options” will open the Folder Options dialog box, which is where you can customize various aspects of how folders and files are displayed and managed in File Explorer.

   

4. In the Folder Options window that appears, you’ll see several tabs at the top: “General,” “View,” and “Search.” Click on the “View” tab. The “View” tab contains advanced settings that control how File Explorer displays folders and files, including options for hidden files, system files, and, importantly, Libraries.

   

5. Within the “View” tab, you’ll find a section labeled “Advanced settings”. This section contains a scrollable list of various display options. Scroll down through this list until you find the option labeled “Show Libraries”. You will see a checkbox next to it, which is likely unchecked by default. Check the box next to “Show Libraries”. This action tells Windows 11 to make the Libraries folder visible in the navigation pane of File Explorer.

   

6. After checking the “Show Libraries” option, you need to apply the change and close the Folder Options window. Click the “Apply” button, usually located at the bottom of the Folder Options window. This applies the settings you’ve just configured. Then, click the “OK” button to close the Folder Options dialog box.

   

Once you have completed these steps, navigate back to the main File Explorer window. In the navigation pane on the left side, you should now see the “Libraries” folder listed. Click on it to explore the default Libraries (Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos). You can now start using Libraries to organize your files more effectively.

2. How to Hide Libraries Folders in Windows 11¶

If you decide that you no longer need the Libraries folder to be visible, or if you prefer a cleaner File Explorer interface, hiding it is just as simple as showing it. Here’s how to hide the Libraries folder in Windows 11:

1. Begin by opening File Explorer. Again, the fastest method is to use the keyboard shortcut Windows + E. This will bring up the File Explorer window, ready for navigation and settings adjustments.

   

2. Similar to showing the Libraries folder, you need to access the Folder Options. In File Explorer, click on the three dots icon in the top bar to open the “See more” menu. From the dropdown menu, select “Options”. This will open the Folder Options dialog box, where you can modify various display and behavior settings.

   

3. In the Folder Options window, navigate to the “View” tab. Click on the “View” tab to access the advanced settings that control how File Explorer displays folders and files. This is the same tab you used to show the Libraries folder.

   

4. Within the “View” tab, scroll down through the “Advanced settings” list until you find the “Show Libraries” option. This time, the checkbox next to “Show Libraries” will likely be checked if you previously enabled the feature. To hide the Libraries folder, you need to uncheck this box.

   

5. After unchecking the “Show Libraries” option, apply the change and close the Folder Options window. Click the “Apply” button at the bottom of the window to save the changes. Then, click the “OK” button to close the Folder Options dialog box.

   

After completing these steps, go back to the File Explorer window and check the navigation pane on the left. The “Libraries” folder should no longer be visible. This effectively hides the Libraries feature from File Explorer, giving you a cleaner and potentially less cluttered view.

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3. How to Add Folders to the Libraries?¶

One of the key benefits of using Libraries is the ability to consolidate folders from different locations into a single, organized view. Once you have enabled the Libraries folder, you can customize it by adding your favorite and frequently used folders. Here’s how to add folders to Libraries in Windows 11:

1. Start by opening File Explorer. Use the Windows + E keyboard shortcut to quickly launch File Explorer and begin the process of adding folders to your Libraries.

   

2. Navigate to the folder you want to add to a Library. Use File Explorer to browse through your file system and locate the specific folder you wish to include in your Libraries. This could be a folder on your local hard drive, an external drive, or even a network location if it’s accessible through File Explorer.

   

3. Once you have located the folder, right-click on it. This action will open the context menu, which presents a list of actions you can perform on the selected folder. From the context menu, select “Show more options”. In Windows 11, the classic context menu is often nested under “Show more options” to streamline the initial right-click menu.

   

4. In the expanded classic context menu, look for the option “Include in library”. Hover over “Include in library,” and a submenu will appear. This submenu will list the default Libraries (Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos) and also the option “Create new library”. If you want to add the folder to an existing Library, select one of the listed Libraries (e.g., “Documents”). To create a new Library specifically for this folder (or a group of related folders), select “Create new library”. For this example, let’s assume you choose to create a new library.

   

5. If you selected “Create new library,” a new Library will be created and the folder you right-clicked will be automatically included in it. The new Library will appear within the “Libraries” folder in the navigation pane of File Explorer. If you added the folder to an existing library, you will see the content of the folder when you navigate to that library.

   

6. To remove a folder from a Library, navigate to the “Libraries” folder in File Explorer. Open the Library from which you want to remove a folder. Right-click on the folder you wish to remove from the Library. In the context menu, select the “Delete” option. Note that this action only removes the folder from the Library view; it does not delete the actual folder or its contents from their original location on your hard drive.

   

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and customize your Libraries, adding and removing folders as needed to create a personalized and efficient file access system in Windows 11. Libraries offer a flexible way to bring together related files from various locations, enhancing your productivity and organization.

Libraries in Windows 11 are indeed a useful feature for efficient file management. They provide a centralized access point to your important files, regardless of their physical location. By mastering the ability to show, hide, and customize Libraries, you can tailor your Windows 11 experience to better suit your workflow and organizational preferences. Whether you are managing documents, photos, music, or videos, Libraries can help streamline your access and keep your digital life organized.

Do you find the Libraries feature helpful in Windows 11? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!